Many
may think God punishes people. Some even reproach Him for whatever wrong
happens to them that hurts much. Is it God’s doing or simply a random
consequence of a bad choice? If God is a
loving God and His mercy endures forever, why would he punish anyone? It says
in the Bible, though, that: A jealous and avenging God is the Lord; the
Lord is avenging and wrathful. (Nahum 1.2a) so we may think He is
like that with everyone. But if we keep on reading it says The Lord takes vengeance of His
adversaries. And He reserves wrath for His enemies.(Nahum 1.2b). So,
who are the Lord’s enemies? They are Satan, and his followers. So I do not have
to worry for I love the Lord with all my heart and understanding, and I know
that He loves me. I am not one of His enemies, so, why do I suffer sometimes?
Have I hurt someone unknowingly and paying for it? Some might think that. I,
myself, have thought that sometimes, because I have known of conflicts that
have come to people, for instance, who have done something wrong like making
fun of others in their bad moments. And some might say “good for them!” I just
cry because I know how much an affliction hurts, to anybody. But blaming God
could hurt more because it was our fault that we sinned, but His love was so
great that in spite of ourselves He paid for our debt at Calvary’s cross; and
to blame Him of any wrong doing would be a blasphemy in our part. God does not
punish the ones who love Him. He permits things to happen to discipline his
children; and to make them shine like a precious metal to shame His adversaries,
after. He will give us the strength to overcome and carry us. Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for Thou are with me. (Psalm 23.4 a).
In
Jesus’s time the people believed that sin was the main reason a person was
severely afflicted. In the case of the blind man Jesus cured, the disciples
even asked Him: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he would be born
blind?” Jesus answered: It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents;
but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9.2,3) Also,
when Jesus was on a trip and found out that his friend Lazarus was sick, dying,
he stayed a little longer on purpose and said: “This sickness is not to end in
death, but for the glory of God, so the son of God may be glorified by it.”
(John 11.4) So, what can I think about this? That God has a purpose for
everything that happens to his children and whether it afflicts us or not, it
is surely for the Glory of God, and thank Him we can serve his purpose, because
at the end we will succeed.
Whatever
the nature of our affliction, whether it’s caused by us or not, do not think of
it as a defeat, being angry at God for not stopping it, or feeling sorry for
yourself and giving up on it. Think of it as an opportunity to show the world
that you are not alone and the One that is with you is mightier than the one
that is in the world.
When
Paul, apostle was afflicted by pain the Lord told him: “My grace is sufficient for you,
for POWER is perfected in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12.9) So he
decided: Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with
distress with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s Sake; for when I am
weak, then I am strong. (II Corinthians 12.10)
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